About Vietnam

Geography

Shaped like a long S, Vietnam stretches the length of the Indo-Chinese Peninsula, bordering China in the north, Laos to the northwest, and Cambodia to the southwest. Famous for its natural beauty and tranquil village life, as well as its highlands and rainforest regions, Vietnam attracts tourists from all over the world. Its islands and beaches are superior, its cuisine is one of the best in the world; and its history - ancient as well as recent - is fascinating.

People

With a population of over 85 million spread over 33 million hectares, Vietnam is the 13th most populous country in the world. Its capital city, Hanoi (population 3.5 million), sometimes called “the grand old dame of Asia”, is known for lovely landscapes of lakes, shaded boulevards, verdant public parks and French-colonial architecture.

While 85 percent of the people in Vietnam are ethnic Vietnamese, the other 15 percent is a diverse mix of ethnic Chinese, Khmer, Cham and members of some 55 other ethno-linguistic groups. The languages spoken are Vietnamese, French, Chinese, English and a variety of Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian local dialects. Buddhism is the principal religion, but there are also sizeable Taoist, Confucian, Hoa Hao, Cao Dai, Muslim and Christian minorities.

Climate

The climate of Vietnam varies greatly from north to south due to its long and narrow territory. The weather in Hanoi during April should be mild and pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 18° to 21°C. Sunshine, interrupted by showers and drizzle, is typical in April.

Currency

The Vietnamese dong (VND) is the official currency of Vietnam. The exchange rate is approximately 1 US Dollar = 16,000 VND. Travellers cheques and major credit cards are generally accepted in Hanoi and other major cities. Although the U.S. dollar is widely accepted in Vietnam, other foreign currencies are not as readily accepted. You may bring into the country an unlimited amount of foreign currency as long as it is declared at customs. Foreign currency exchange is readily available at hotels or at the State Bank of Vietnam.

Economy

Since 1986, Vietnam has greatly liberalized its economy. In 2006 the GDP growth was 8.17 percent - the second fastest growth rate among countries in East Asia and the fastest in Southeast Asia. The GDP growth for 2007 is estimated to hit a ten-year high record at 8.44 percent.